Nosferatu

The Nosferatu are the least human-appearing of all the clans. They look something like feral animals. Their smell and appearance are revolting - one could even say monstrous. Long, bulbous ears, coarse-skinned skulls covered with tufts of hair, and elongated faces splotched with disgusting warts and lumps are among their less nauseating features.

After Nosferatu have been Embraced, they undergo an exceptionally painful period of transformation. Over a period of weeks, they slowly shift from their mortal countenances to their Nosferatu visages. In the beginning, the childer may revel in their newfound powers, but soon the pain and the changes will begin. The psychological trauma of becoming such a loathsome monstrosity is often more painful than the physical symptoms.

Nosferatu usually Embrace those mortals who are twisted in one way or another: emotionally, physically, spiritually or intellectually. They consider the Embrace too horrific to bestow on any worthwhile human beings. With the change into vampires, the Nosferatu hope to somehow redeem the mortals, to give them a second chance. It is surprising how often it works. Underneath the grim exterior, the Nosferatu are practical and surprisingly sane.

It is said they revel in being dirty and disgusting and do little to make themselves look better (not that there is very much they could do). Indeed, they are cheerful amid their squalor, especially when others are forced to enter their realm. They are known for being grumpy and lewd, and cannot be trusted to conform to the standards of civilized society.

Though their Obfuscate Discipline enables the Nosferatu to travel through mortal society, they are unable to interact with it. Therefore they must live apart. The habits that develop from such an existence extend even to their interactions with other vampires. They avoid all contact, preferring their own solitary existence to the chaos of interacting with others.

Though Nosferatu may not fraternize with other vampires, they do remain surprisingly cognizant about the affairs of the city. They favor such tactics as listening to the conversations of other vampires from hiding, and Nosferatu have even been known to sneak into the prince's haven to discover the deepest secrets of this elder. Anyone wishing to know any information about the city or its immortal inhabitants need only speak with a Nosferatu.

The Nosferatu do stay in contact with one another, and have developed a unique subculture among the Kindred. They play host to one another with the most elaborate politeness and gentility. They share the information they garner among themselves, and as a result are probably the best-informed of the Kindred.

Nickname: Sewer Rats

Appearance:The changes that the curse has wrought upon the members of this clan are the most dominant of any bloodline. They sport huge fangs, their skin is coarse and wrinkled, and they typically have no hair (except in all the wrong places).

Haven: The Nosferatu most often live underground, either in dank cellars or within the city sewer system. When they do live above ground, they frequent abandoned houses or graveyards.

Background: They tend to choose their fledglings from the castoffs and failures of society: the homeless, the mentally ill and the hopelessly antisocial.

Character Creation: Most Nosferatu have lower-class concepts, and tend to have a strong contrast between their Natures and Demeanors. Physical Attributes are primary, as are Talents.

Clan Disciplines: Animalism, Obfuscate, Potence

Weaknesses: Nosferatu are so ugly that they have an Appearance of zero. Simply cross the entire Attribute off the character sheet. Nosferatu fail any action that involves their Appearance (they really are hideous).

Organization: They tend to look out for themselves and mingle little with others. They are united in spirit, with an established network, but almost never have formal clan meetings of any sort.

Quote: "I don't look for trouble, but if it comes, I hide from it. Damn right, pretty boy. You may call me chicken, but I've known a lot of Kindred over the years who got smart just a few seconds too late. It's not like we can't die, it's just that it don't come natural any more."

Stereotypes:
·Tremere - Shady characters; they're up to something.

·Ventrue - Too damn proper; something's stuck up their....

·Gangrel - Good blokes; they know who they are.

·Toreador - Empty-headed whelps who should be spanked.

·Brujah - Nice enough fellas, once you get past the crap.

·Malkavian - Creepy, ain't they? Don't even trust 'em.